Rumored Wizards-Celtics deal shot down [UPDATED]

Trade rumor season is an interesting time. So much is discussed, thrown around, considered and shot down that it really is hard to keep track. From now until 3 p.m. on Feb. 18, there are going to be a lot of trade rumors floated. But one thing I've learned is that some trade rumors are true, some aren't, and some are actually messages sent to other teams to get them to budge.

I thought about the latter when I read Adrian Wojnarowski's article about a rumored deal between the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards. The Celtics reportedly are discussing a trade that would send the expiring contracts of Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine and J.R. Giddens to the Wizards for Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. Wojnarowski writes, "The trade isn't imminent, but talks have progressed and Celtics GM Danny Ainge has positioned his organization to make one of the boldest trade deadline moves in years."

That deal would certainly clear up a lot of cap space and begin the rebuilding process in earnest, but it goes against everything else that I've heard that the Wizards are also looking for in any trade proposals -- acquiring draft picks, young prospects or a valued rotation player. I made a few calls this morning to check and what I heard was close to what I expected. One league source said the Wizards and Celtics never had a conversation about that proposed deal. Another told me that the story was possibly planted in hopes of getting the Cleveland Cavaliers to finally make the Wizards an offer for Jamison.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe this morning that "there is no truth" to rumors that he has discussed any trades involving the Wizards. General managers rarely admit to discussing specific trade proposals, but this deal seems as if it would create some problems for Boston, which would add Jamison to a team that already has Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, and Butler to a team that already has Paul Pierce. Not too mention, the Celtics would add on an additional $24 million in salary next season.

I'm not saying that this deal will never happen, because I don't know what will be discussed over the next six days. But it makes sense that the Wizards would look to scare the Cavaliers by proposing a possible deal to an Eastern Conference rival involving a player who is high on their radar. The Cavaliers (42-11) won their 13th consecutive game last night and afterward, LeBron James denied reports that he has ever lobbied for Jamison. He told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan, "I think our team is built to win a championship, and with the group of guys we have here, if we continue to get better we're headed in the right direction."

James is too smart to ever make public pleas for help -- especially with his team rolling -- but word around the league is that he has done just that. So far, the only name the Cavaliers are willing to discuss is Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but the Wizards are still holding out for J.J. Hickson. The Cavaliers are certainly sitting in a position of power, but how bad would they look if James really did ask for Jamison, Cleveland didn't even make an offer for him, and the team doesn't get to the NBA Finals? You might hear James singing about New York this summer as if he were Frank Sinatra or Alicia Keys.

One of the sources told me that the deal that really has gained traction -- and Wojnarowski mentioned it in his story -- is the proposed deal that would send Butler and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas for Josh Howard and James Singleton. Now, that deal wouldn't bring back a young prospect -- such as the for now untouchable Rodrigue Beaubois -- but it would eliminate Stevenson's $4-million salary from the books for next season.

[UPDATE] ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that talks between the Wizards and Mavericks have intensified, with Brendan Haywood possibly being added to the package. Stein said a source told him that it would be a mistake "to sleep on" the Boston rumor, but spoke to someone else who said that the deal was "very doubtful."

That is not a trade. It is a gift to Boston. The Celtics could not propose that trade with a straight face.
The Wiz would be better off to hold out, see what happens with GA, and be in position for a top 5 pick. Expiring contracts are useless to the Wiz because the name players will not sign with them.

of course, we could have had Hickson if EG wasn't in love with spindly big me who don't know how to play the game. Hickson, for me, was a no brainer two years ago. Now look. McGee has played no meaningful minutes on one of the worst teams in the league and Hickson starts for the team with the best record. Hmmm....

Why this works for Washington: Its been long assumed that Jamison would be dealt for an expiring contract (Big Z, T-Mac, Ray Allen) and possibly a young player with upside/ and or a draft pick. While this deal would be a different direction for the Wizards it would be the right one. Beasley hasn't lived up to his billing yet, but he is only 21 years old and has shown a ton of promise and is the key to this deal. Chalmers has had a sophomore slump this season, but still could be a valuable NBA player. He's a restricted free agent after this season, giving the Wizards plenty of control over him for a couple of years. Cook has been a bust so far in his career, but could be a nice relatively cheap asset on a Washington team desperate for back court help. He is under contract for only one more season and then is a restricted free agent. If he doesn't improve any more, Washington can let him walk in a year. Jones is an athletic SF who is solid as a role player/backup but is overpaid in terms of years (4) and money ($4.3 million a year). But his contract for next season is only partially guaranteed, meaning the Wizards wouldn't be on the hook for all of it. Washington would also benefit in two additional ways. The first round pick from Toronto is lottery protected, but I doubt the Raptors will finish in the lottery. The pick will probably fall in the mid-teens (quite a bit higher than a prospective pick from the Cavs which will probably be 29 or 30). Also though this deal won't give the Wizards salary cap relief next season, it will eliminate a sizable chunk of their luxury tax debt this season, by using the Heat's Marcus Banks trade exception that expires on Mon. Feb. 15th.

J.J Hickson is overrated in this trade.where is DS , it is Hickson who is overrated not james.He could be a hasle man with a possible good rebounding edge.It is not that easy to see his offensive contribution.He run well with out the ball and get good passes from james.He has the worest shooting touch from 17 and 18.JM would probably would do better if he get a chance to play with LJ.The energy he has on defense will go away as soon as he is traded to washington.

The Trade: Washington sends Antwan Jamison, Earl Boykins, and Fabricio Oberto to the Miami Heat for Micheal Beasley, Daequan Cook, Mario Chalmers, James Jones and a 2010 1st round pick (via Toronto)...Anyways what do you guys think is this deal something the Wizards should look into?

Posted by: Steveo11 | February 12, 2010 2:32 PM | Report abuse

Oh man, it would be really tough to lose Fabricio Oberto, but sometimes you have to give up something to get something--in this case, a rising young superstar like Michael Beasley. I could be tempted to go for it, as long as the Heat do not hold out for Mike James as well. That would tip the deal over to the Heat's favor. The first rounder helps a little, however. I might just do that one, if I am the Wiz! Good one!

It might be OK, but does Jamison help Miami enough that they would do something like that?

Oberto and Boykins don't get more than 2 min of breather time on a "real" team and bot could be had for free next year, so they are just toss ins?

Nice work though. I just don't see it.

I am starting to think that we should focus on trading Haywood since he will go away next year anyway and just play out the season with what we have.

get McGee, Blatche, Domm, Foye and young as much run as we can and see what they can do. Keep Butler and Jamison's minutes around 32-35 so they look fresh almost every night and keep their injury susceptibility down a little.

Then look at draft time and see if anyone wants to deal then because of a disappointing Playoff run.

Otherwise, look to see what we can get for them around Aug/Sept when teams that didn't score in Free agency are looking to shake things up or maybe they had a player wreck a knee waterskiing or something.

TRADE BUTLER AND STEVENSON TO SAN ANTONIO FOR DEJUAN BLAIR AND FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDER.THAT WOULD GIVE WASHINGTON A LEGITIMATE POWER FORWARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.THEN IF THEY CAN PICK UP A POINT GUARD LIKE BLAKE FROM PORTLAND FOR FOYE AND A SECOND ROUNDER,THEY CAN CONTEND THIS YEAR

That miami trade looks decent, although I dont think we need two more guards in our roatation unless we offload some we already have. Granted some of those contracts are expiring. But maybe in combo with a mavs trade that sends stevenson/butler/haywood( http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=4909238 ) or two of the three players could work. But I doubt we would do two huge deals like that, but then again u never know...

TRADE BUTLER AND STEVENSON TO SAN ANTONIO FOR DEJUAN BLAIR AND FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDER.THAT WOULD GIVE WASHINGTON A LEGITIMATE POWER FORWARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.THEN IF THEY CAN PICK UP A POINT GUARD LIKE BLAKE FROM PORTLAND FOR FOYE AND A SECOND ROUNDER,THEY CAN CONTEND THIS YEAR

ESPN.com
DALLAS -- Long-running trade talks between the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards have taken a fresh twist now that the teams have discussed the prospect of packaging center Brendan Haywood to Dallas in the same deal with Wizards forward Caron Butler, according to sources close to the discussions.

In the latest proposals exchanged by the teams, Dallas would send Howard (whose $11.8 million salary next season is a team option) to Washington and also surrender backup center Drew Gooden, along with multiple low-salaried players such as Tim Thomas, Singleton and Ross.

Washington would inevitably want prized Mavericks rookie Rodrigue Beaubois added to the deal, but Mavs owner Mark Cuban said earlier this week that his young point guard is "pretty much untouchable" as Thursday's trade deadline approaches. It is not known whether Washington would accept Mavericks guard J.J. Barea instead.

Jamison and two players to Miami for Beasely a high pick and two scrubs(that could replace the wizards current scrubs) is a great idea and an absolute steal for the Wizards. However, the GM from Miami would get fired and Wade would leave when his contract expired all because of the trade, so don't expect that hypothetical trade to happen.

In the latest proposals exchanged by the teams, Dallas would send Howard (whose $11.8 million salary next season is a team option) to Washington and also surrender backup center Drew Gooden, along with multiple low-salaried players such as Tim Thomas, Singleton and Ross.

Washington would inevitably want prized Mavericks rookie Rodrigue Beaubois added to the deal, but Mavs owner Mark Cuban said earlier this week that his young point guard is "pretty much untouchable" as Thursday's trade deadline approaches. It is not known whether Washington would accept Mavericks guard J.J. Barea instead.

Posted by: tgif11 | February 12, 2010 4:00 PM |

If we wanted Gooden we could have signed him ourselves. If all we will get is cap room we may as well stand pat and let the contracts expire on their own. As someone said earlier perhaps Jamison & Butler's value will increase next year.

BTH has real value to the teams interested in him, they all think they can make a postseason run with a little more defense around the rim. Trading him for CAP only is shortchanging ourselves to the extent there has got be some young player of potential out there we can get for him.

I EARLIER SAID TRADE BUTLER AND STEVENSON FOR BLAIR FROM SAN ANTONIO.I MEANT JAMISON AND STEVENSON.THAT WOULD GIVE WASHINGTON A REAL POWERFORWADE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.SA SHOULD ALSO THROW IN A FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDER.PICK UP BLAKE FROM PORTLAND FOR FOYE AND TWO SECOND ROUNDERS AND WASHINGTON CAN CONTEND THIS YEAR AND HAVE TWO FIRST ROUNDERS FOR NEXT YEARE

Posted by: lowery81 | February 12, 2010 3:43 PM | Report abuse

Spurs wont trade Blair. They stole him at our expense. The only player they truly want to dump is Richard Jefferson, and nobody wants him for the money he is getting paid. The Spurs are waiting till next year to bring in Thiago Splitter, and when that happens, they will once again be in position to challenge for a championship. The Spurs problem is similar to the Wizards: They are lacking a slasher/athlete to cover Kobe and their overall athlticsism has regresed. When Splitter arrives next year, they will add an athlete who can run, jump, rebound and score to complement their core players. As for the Wizards, it's time to get bigger, stronger, and faster. If any of these trade rumors do not net players with the ability to play defense, the rebuilding process will only take longer

"BTH has real value to the teams interested in him, they all think they can make a postseason run with a little more defense around the rim. Trading him for CAP only is shortchanging ourselves to the extent there has got be some young player of potential out there we can get for him."

The Wiz aren't exactly holding a trump card. Haywood is a FA whose odds of re-signing in D.C. are close to nil. Haywood is a complementary player, not a one-pass to a title. No one is going to give up significant young talent for him, esp. given the possibility that he may walk as a FA from whatever team he gets traded to.

"Well if Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and Amare move next year Caron & Jamison may have some value as consolation prizes to the teams that either lose those players or miss out on getting them."

That seems highly unlikely.

Those players are valued because they're viewed as being, potentially, franchise building blocks. Jamison and Butler have already proven they aren't. Those players are all still young. Jamison isn't even close. Also, the teams interested in the players you mentioned are interested in them as FAs. The only way Jamison and Butler could be acquired is through trade, which would mean giving up additional assets (additional to the ones the already let go to create the cap space) in order to get them. So basically any team that went after Butler and Jamison as a "consolation prize" for missing out on those guys would have to be looking to build around Butler (in the last year of his deal and able to walk at the end of the season) and Jamison (34 years old with two more years on his deal at about $12-13 mill/per). Do you really see that happening?

Butler may have some additional value next season because his contract will be expiring, but even then, it's not like teams are going to give up top flight talent to get him, just like no one is giving up top flight talent to get McGrady's expiring contract.

I EARLIER SAID TRADE BUTLER AND STEVENSON FOR BLAIR FROM SAN ANTONIO.I MEANT JAMISON AND STEVENSON.THAT WOULD GIVE WASHINGTON A REAL POWERFORWADE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.SA SHOULD ALSO THROW IN A FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDER.PICK UP BLAKE FROM PORTLAND FOR FOYE AND TWO SECOND ROUNDERS AND WASHINGTON CAN CONTEND THIS YEAR AND HAVE TWO FIRST ROUNDERS FOR NEXT YEARE

Posted by: lowery81 | February 12, 2010 3:43 PM | Report abuse

Still asking if this is a joke...but I guess not.

Just asking...how old is blake? Maybe we could do with him like we did Michael Adams...keep him around and then lose him for the prime of his career and welcome him back whenhe is on the decline?

I see what you are saying but let's say the Knicks don't get any of the top targets they are after next year. It is possible they would take Butler and/or Jamison for the short term. It also would not be impossible to imagine being able to move Caron and/or Jamison for a top pick just like we did for Foye and Miller. If they are worth the 5th pick surely there is another sucker out there who would give that or more for Caron & Jamison. The Knicks might even want to take Gil off of our hands.

Jamison will be older and more expensive next year than he is now. Given the unlikelihood of his play improving significantly, I can't see how either of those things will increase his trade value.

Posted by: kalo_rama | February 12, 2010 4:27 PM | Report abuse

What you are saying is true of the general marketplace, but while the marketplace is always rational, the individual players in the marketplace are not.

I made the case before, and you don't buy it, but I still think that a team that "almost made it" this year gets to draft day, they may prefer a known and consistent quantity (Jamison/butler) than a late first rounder and some young guy that may have huge upside, but is not as consistent.

Also, in august when people re-evaluate their team and are picking through the leftovers from Free Agency, they may think their odds are better with Jamison than whoever is left.

it is speculative, and yes, they would have to figure out the trade then, but that shnizz happens every year.

I don't think either have more value in say, December of next year, but maybe from June - sept.

"I made the case before, and you don't buy it, but I still think that a team that "almost made it" this year gets to draft day, they may prefer a known and consistent quantity (Jamison/butler) than a late first rounder and some young guy that may have huge upside, but is not as consistent."

By that logic, wouldn't the Cavs a team that "almost made it" the last 3 years, and is desperate to "make it this year of face the possibility of the franchise walking out the door, prefer Jamison to Hickson?

see what you are saying but let's say the Knicks don't get any of the top targets they are after next year. It is possible they would take Butler and/or Jamison for the short term. It also would not be impossible to imagine being able to move Caron and/or Jamison for a top pick just like we did for Foye and Miller. If they are worth the 5th pick surely there is another sucker out there who would give that or more for Caron & Jamison. The Knicks might even want to take Gil off of our hands.

Posted by: anacostia85 | February 12, 2010

The Knicks dont have a #1 this year, it goes to Utah, Who do you suggest we get from them for our "Stars" ?

"So yes, by my logic they would try to get a big, dominant center to go up against the big dominant center that bumped them from the playoffs last year...which they did.

thanks for using the very example I was thinking of."

Your example was their trading for Shaq. My example was their refusal to trade Hickson for Jamison. How, exactly, was I using the "very example" you were thinking of? Nice try.

Again, if what you said were true, they would have already pulled the trigger on the Hickson deal, because (A) they've already failed multiple times to win a title when they were clearly in the running and (B) this might be their last shot before Lebron walks. No team next season is going to be more desperate than Cleveland is now. Yet they continue to value inconsistent Hickson more than steady consistent Jamison, even though, realistically, there is little to no chance that Hickson's loss will actually cost them a title. So if a team in the most desperate straits isn't willing to take the plunge, why would a team with less to gain and not as much to lose be any more willing?

I think the point is that there are infinite possibilities and too much of it depends on what some "franchise" player 's ego makes him think he needs and how far his management will go to appease him and how desperate some GM is to shake things up and how some owner perceives his chances in the next year.

Based on all of that irrationality, someone is bound to do something stupid and I think we should wait until they are stupid rather than rush to dump for whatever slop is laying in the doggie dish.

I am saying that they got bumped last year and made a radical move to get Shaq. That seems to have fixed their problem.

The question is if another almost ran does a similar move this year.

It is hard to see, though, how a team can view itself as being "in the most desperate straits" when they are also the team with the best record in the NBA, an almost fully Healthy roster, 7 games ahead of their nearest conference rival and on a 13 game win streak.

If I had any of that I would be loathe to mess with a good thing.

You are right about fears of losing Lebron,though. Since there are still almost 6 full days before the trading deadline, if LeBron pushes for it, it could still happen. Reading Mike Lee's articles and posts, as well as everybody else's it seems clear that no one in the press and certainly none of us know what is really going on. Just a lot of he said she said.

It does not have to be a #1 this year Raef as long as we get a #1 and a unprotected #1 at that. If hey don't want to part with a draft pick Gallinari or Jordan Hill would be a nice start.

Posted by: anacostia85 | February 12, 2010 5:04 PM

The philosophy of the Knicks is to free up money for the big 4, they are actually trying to shed some baggage as well,so Butler and Jamison only make sense to teams that are trying to make a push in the playoffs. It's highly unlikely NY wants to trade next years #1 pick, being that this year's(Hill)has not exactly lived up to expectations, though it's early. Also, OUR new ownership has to have something to market next year (no joke).We simply make urealistic trade partners with the Knicks, especially when we have to match contracts.

Also, Shaq's contract expires at the end of this season, making the trade for him a short-term risk.
****

But since they are in the most "desperate straits" wouldn't that be a huge risk?

Whatever...just being rhetorical here. you are off your meds or drunk already...focussing on the minutiea and not the point that people make bad trades all the time and we should wait for someone to do that.

The philosophy of the Knicks is to free up money for the big 4, they are actually trying to shed some baggage as well,so Butler and Jamison only make sense to teams that are trying to make a push in the playoffs. It's highly unlikely NY wants to trade next years #1 pick, being that this year's(Hill)has not exactly lived up to expectations, though it's early. Also, OUR new ownership has to have something to market next year (no joke).We simply make urealistic trade partners with the Knicks, especially when we have to match contracts.

Posted by: Raef | February 12, 2010 5:24 PM

Why would we have to match contracts when Harrington, Hughes, Milicic, Mobley, David Lee, Nate Robinson,Jonathan Bender and Marcus Landry contracts come off the books for them next year. If they lose out on the big four someone has to fill those spots and it won't be the guys whose deals are expiring as they are very unhappy with all of them

They really don't have to move Butler. His deal ends after the 2010/2011 season.Jamison and Gil are the only pieces that need to be moved to get the cap in order. We can get value for Gilbert as for Jamison we probably will not get value for him so the offer from the Cavs may be all we can realistically get.

Along with Houston, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are in the market for a veteran big man and have interest in Haywood, who is attractive because he is having a career year with 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 9.8 points and is making $6 million this year, which is seen as affordable since solid centers are so hard to find, and has an expiring contract.

I bet Etan would love to be reunited with Haywood ROFL!!

If the Thunder were willing to give up Sefolosha & Maynor for Brendan I would take that deal.

Why would we have to match contracts when Harrington, Hughes, Milicic, Mobley, David Lee, Nate Robinson,Jonathan Bender and Marcus Landry contracts come off the books for them next year. If they lose out on the big four someone has to fill those spots and it won't be the guys whose deals are expiring as they are very unhappy with all of them

Posted by: anacostia85 | February 12, 2010 5:55 PM
So you think OUR new ownership is going to sell "those" guys for another year to us/fans? As far as I'm concerned, only Lee sounds marketable and their not giving him up for Jamison or Butler. Their is a reason we are avoiding the Knicks unless WE get Houston's #1.

Why would we have to match contracts when Harrington, Hughes, Milicic, Mobley, David Lee, Nate Robinson,Jonathan Bender and Marcus Landry contracts come off the books for them next year. If they lose out on the big four someone has to fill those spots and it won't be the guys whose deals are expiring as they are very unhappy with all of them

Posted by: anacostia85 | February 12, 2010 5:55 PM
So you think OUR new ownership is going to sell "those" guys for another year to us/fans? As far as I'm concerned, only Lee sounds marketable and their not giving him up for Jamison or Butler. Their is a reason we are avoiding the Knicks unless WE get Houston's #1.

Posted by: Raef | February 12, 2010 6:13 PM

The key word is "new". Whoever the "new" owner is they will be given carte blanche by the fans to fix this problem since they did not make the problem. I hope Leonsis gets them because he will make a statement to the fans about what he plans to do.

The key word is "new". Whoever the "new" owner is they will be given carte blanche by the fans to fix this problem since they did not make the problem. I hope Leonsis gets them because he will make a statement to the fans about what he plans to do.

Posted by: anacostia85 | February 12, 2010 6:40 PM

Sure, the new owner does, but Ernie does not. His next moves are crucial to our rebuild and his job may be on the line.

"So basically the Wizards exchange their overpaid, under performing frontcourt for the Sixers even more overpaid, underperforming frontcourt. And that helps Washington how, exactly?" - kalo_rama

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Iguodala is a backcourt player, and 8th in the league in points, 1st in boards, 7th in blocks, and 2nd in steals at the SG position. So I wouldn't say he underperforms or is overpaid.

Brand you could make that argument, but he's the 'negative' we take in order to get Iguodala. Plus, both of them or significantly better defensive players than almost anyone we currently have. Iguodala is one of the best defensive guards in the league, and Brand is still a good PF defender.

Our starting 5 this year would be a good defensive team: Foye, Iguodala, Miller, Brand, Haywood.

I just think this is better than anything we might get in free agency. I think after this season, we're not going to be very high on most free agent's lists. Trading for players under contract might be our best bet. Brand, btw is still top 15 in most categories.

The latest deal under discussion could send center Brendan Haywood and forward Caron Butler, to Dallas for Josh Howard, backup center Drew Gooden, along with some low-salaried players such as Tim Thomas, James Singleton or Quinton Ross

If this is all we get with Dallas, I'd rather reopen talks with Portland. This deal makes sense for Dallas but not for us.

We have to consider the economic constirants.AJ is very expensive at 34 for any team after feb,18.EG should be despriate to move him.Ohio is going to wait until the last second to give any thing for AJ.He has to go.
I personaly would not like to send CB with out a 1st round pick or a young player that could be part of the rebuilding process.
CB's value on draft night might also give us a top 10 pick.I think washington need a minimum 2 top 10 1st round pick to get some of us to vc.Sign and trade in summor is also a possiblity for BH&MM. as long us jamison is send some where and they are able to avoid this season 4 million tax,EG ,new owner or abe family will all be happy.

Posted by JT @ 5:58 PM Fri, Feb 12, 2010
It's actually pretty simple why Cuban would do this. Howard needs a change of scenery and is making about the same amount of money as Butler BUT Howard is an expiring contract (ideal for WA's rebuilding mentality). Haywood is pretty much icing on the cake. As constructed, the Mavs can't get through the Lakers and their frontline. Yes, Dirk is a big mismatch for the Lakers but we need multiple big men to throw at Pau and Bynum. Having Damp and Haywood provides two great defensive centers who are virtually interchangeable. Haywood is a way better defender than Gooden and is not as quick to fall in love with his jumpshot as Gooden is apt to be.

Also, you don't want to trade Damp away yet... his contract is an expiring contract and come next summer, it may come in handy to bring in a marquee free agent (i.e. LeBron, DWade, etc.).

So even if Butler is of similar talent as JHo, Haywood provides a better center. And in the West, you need as many centers as possible.

That excerpt was from the Mav's blog.

I still dont like this deal for us. One has to think that Ernie can do better. When the Mav fans are chanting "do it", I say we dont. We dont need Gooden as we already have Blatche, I would rather have Brandon Bass,a strong physical rebounder who can score and could be our version of David Lee.

"I think after this season, we're not going to be very high on most free agent's lists."

Depends mostly on the sale. If Ted Leonsis gets a clean purchase, we're competitive. If the ownership situation is still unresolved, we're less competitive.

A new owner will carry less baggage into the eventual Arenas negotiation, too.

If I were a FA, I'd look favorably on Washington as a place to play. Sure, it's pricy, congested, and the media's hypercritical, but the arena's nice, the fans are loyal (as long as you don't read blogs) and the owner's not a tightwad.

Why are they freeing up space? Who do they think would sign into this mess? Ernie needs to go and go NOW! He can't draft...how many people here screamed over the draft? He is a fool! The only people who are bigger fools are the ones who pay money to watch this crap. Why should anyone pay to watch this when the team management has given up. The object of the game is to win. If management has given up on that, they should not charge anyone admission!

AJ is 33 going on 34 and CB is 28 going on 35. PLEASE trade these guys before they play to many minutes and get injured and ruin are trade value. The facts are we will never get any better with CB and AJ. AJ reminds me if Juwan Howard who was a good player with no upside. CB is a good player with no upside. Deshaun and MJ along with Oberto all no upside.

The Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks are nearing completion on a trade that will exchange Caron Butler(notes) and Josh Howard(notes), league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The teams were negotiating whether to expand the trade to include Wizards center Brendan Haywood, but one source with knowledge of the talks said he doesn’t expect the core of the deal – Butler and Howard – to unravel. Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson is expected to be moved to Dallas in either deal involving Butler.
The Mavericks would send Quinton Ross(notes) or Tim Thomas(notes) and possibly Drew Gooden to Washington if the trade also includes Haywood.

According to a source, Mavericks have tentatively agreed to trade Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross and James Singleton to the Washington Wizards for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson.

Getting precious little in return (in terms of players) from the Dallas trade has one potential benefit - it may put the pressure on Gil to accept a buyout. If Gil decides he wants to take $80mill over the next 4 years from Washington, make it clear he'll do it with no talent around him and no chance to be part of a winning team.

Getting precious little in return (in terms of players) from the Dallas trade has one potential benefit - it may put the pressure on Gil to accept a buyout. If Gil decides he wants to take $80mill over the next 4 years from Washington, make it clear he'll do it with no talent around him and no chance to be part of a winning team.

Posted by: p1funk | February 12, 2010 9:27 PM

Gil is not taking a buyout in all likelihood he won't be going anywhere.

DALLAS -- After weeks of discussions, taking the Wizards through various trade proposals that would put them on the path to rebuilding, Washington has revived a deal that would send Caron Butler to the Mavericks as part of a package that includes Josh Howard going to the Wizards, CBSSpports.com has learned.

The deal "looks like it will go through," according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions. The Butler-for-Howard scenario was revived in the past 48 hours after Dallas owner Mark Cuban initially balked at the idea, the source said. The discussions, described as "lively and serious" by one person involved, expanded to include Brendan Haywood going to Dallas along with DeShawn Stevenson, with Drew Gooden heading to the Wizards, sources said.

The Wizards were deeply involved in discussions with Boston that would've sent Butler and Haywood to the Celtics for Ray Allen, but that deal apparently died for a combination of reasons. The Wizards were reluctant to include Antawn Jamison in the swap, and the Celtics were concerned about taking on large contracts as they try to position themselves to remain a threat down the stretch and also to improve in future seasons.

Barring a snag, Butler would add to the Mavs' offensive potency -- assuming he will return to his previous All-Star level with a change of scenery. But the deal also will add $14.8 million to the Mavs' 2010-11 payroll -- the price Cuban was willing to pay to make a championship run this season.

Howard was virtually a lock to be traded before the Feb. 18 deadline because he's unhappy with his role and has a team option for next season at $11.8 million. The deal has the potential to save the Wizards nearly $15 million in 2010-11 cap space if they decide not to pick up Howard's option.

Getting precious little in return (in terms of players) from the Dallas trade has one potential benefit - it may put the pressure on Gil to accept a buyout. If Gil decides he wants to take $80mill over the next 4 years from Washington, make it clear he'll do it with no talent around him and no chance to be part of a winning team.

Arenas is wired differently. I don't think that will sway him one way or the other.

Getting precious little in return (in terms of players) from the Dallas trade has one potential benefit - it may put the pressure on Gil to accept a buyout. If Gil decides he wants to take $80mill over the next 4 years from Washington, make it clear he'll do it with no talent around him and no chance to be part of a winning team.

Arenas is wired differently. I don't think that will sway him one way or the other.

Posted by: tgif11 | February 12, 2010 9:38 PM | Report abuse

I think arenas care about being liked a little too much and he gets his feelings hurt easily. He doesn't deal with adversity well and he crumbles when he's put in a negative spotlight.

So long as he's in town collecting that max paycheck and the Wiz continue to lose he's going to become real unpopular really quickly, and I think things will unravel for him.

You see how Houston has been killing McGrady over the past couple years, or how Marbury fell out in NY; I see a similar thing happening to GA in DC and I don't see him dealing with it very well.

I honestly don't think anybody knows how Gil is anymore. Situation like this? Almost losing everything? You can't don't come out the same. I actually think it'll be a wake up call. Once again though, who knows.

Great Trade Ernie! I knoew Ernie would pull something out of his hat!!!! People are down on him but he just chicken salad out of chicken shiiite! Now we need to find a way to package Jamison and Mike James to relieve some more money from next years cap and be a player in free agency. I would target Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson. A lucky bounce of the ping pong balls and we get a John Wall, Evan Turner, or DeMarcus Cousin then we are talking a nice little nucleus. Better yet lets save the money and start counting down the days to Durant's free agency. Nothing like a local boy coming home. Don't for a second think that if the Wizards clean house with the roster, then hopefully clean house with ownership and the front office and coaching staff that Teddy Boy won't do his best to turn around this franchise and make it appealing to free agents. This is just the beginning of something that was looooong overdue. I can honestly say I think the future is going to be bright under Leonsis and he gets a clean slate to start with. Embrace the change people!!!! Think how exciting it would be have a young and energetic squad for once and allow the team to come together and gel. I for one applaud Mr. Grunfeld. Next let's get rid of Jamison and filler for a pick or expiring contracts. DO IT ERNIE!!!!

Also, next summer once the dust settles from free agency and a lot of teams are left holding an empty bag then I start offering up Arenas for a bag of magic beans. I'd seriously consider trading him to the Sixers for Elton Brand. I think Elton still has got some game, just needs to get out of Philly. His deal runs one year shorter than Arenas and he's a low post presence and a banger. Something we haven't had since the days of Ruland and Mahorn. Worst case scenario Ted can undergo a major public image restoration project for Gilbert and showcase him early in the season and try to sucker the Knicks, the Warriors, or the Clippers to trade for him. It can be done!

Posted by: ElBigChroizo
Also, next summer once the dust settles from free agency and a lot of teams are left holding an empty bag then I start offering up Arenas for a bag of magic beans. I'd seriously consider trading him to the Sixers for Elton Brand. I think Elton still has got some game, just needs to get out of Philly. His deal runs one year shorter than Arenas and he's a low post presence and a banger. Something we haven't had since the days of Ruland and Mahorn. Worst case scenario Ted can undergo a major public image restoration project for Gilbert and showcase him early in the season and try to sucker the Knicks, the Warriors, or the Clippers to trade for him. It can be done!

The sixers have Lou Williamd and Eddie Jordan. So you can forget about Gilbert landing there.